German police arrest four over alleged people smuggling

Federal police in south-western Germany arrested at least four individuals during a series of raids on suspicion of people smuggling, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The coordinated raids took place in Mannheim and the areas surrounding Karlsruhe and Worms, with authorities searching a total of 24 properties.

A group of seven smugglers is being suspected of bringing people from the Middle East and the Caucasus into Germany.

Some of the victims were allegedly working in the country without the required residency permits.

A total of 400 police officers were mobilised for the operation, which involved federal police, the public prosecutor’s office, and central customs authorities.